The Umansky Law Firm

“Jersey Shore” Star Pleads Not Guilty to Drug Charge

2012-01-27T14:10:00.000-08:00

John Manfre –better known as The Unit on thepopular MTV show Jersey Shore –recently pled not guilty to thecharge that he was in possession of acontrolled substance last July. According to authorities, Manfre was arrested in Seaside Heights after hewas found with a white powderedsubstance. The powder was later identified as Ketamine, a powerful drug often used as a horse tranquilizer.

Also known as“Special K,” Ketamine is an aesthetic drug that is injected or inhaled whenused illicitly, producing effects similar to PCP. Manfre’s lawyers claim thatthey entered the not guilty plea not because “that’s the normal thing to do,”but because they encountered issuesconcerning their client’s constitutionalrights. His attorney stated that they expect “a very favorable outcome.”

Anyone canmake an error in judgment, but the consequences for a drug offensecan be steep. If you have been arrested for possession of drugs, you may be facing:

Probation
Fines
Driver’s license suspension
Jail time

If you are a first-timeoffender, Florida provides rehabilitation programs as an alternative to certaindrug offense penalties. In some of our clients’ cases, we have even been ableto have drug charges completely droppedand later expunged.

If you havebeen arrested for a drug crime in the Orlando,Florida area, please contact us today toschedule a consultation with our experienced Orlando criminal defense attorneys at The Umansky Firm. We can protect your rights and help you get backon your feet again.

Grow House Discovered in Osceola County

2012-01-26T15:10:00.000-08:00

Earlier today, police officers responding to a burglary call in Osceola County discovered a bathtub full of marijuana plants, according to the Orlando Sentinel. A neighbor had called police when he noticed someone breaking into the leased house next door. In Florida, growing and selling marijuana is a serious drug offense often carrying severe consequences.

Officers found 39 marijuana plants in the house. The home was also equipped with an electrical system quite different from most other homes. The Osceola County Investigative Bureau is trying to find out who the plants belong to, as no one was home when officers arrived.

According to the Sentinel, indoor grow houses have become increasingly common across Florida since 2005. Several growers will often start an operation together, renting a home and installing special equipment to cultivate marijuana.

At the Umansky Law Firm, we know that drug offenses are not exclusive to lifestyle criminals. Juveniles, college students, tourists, men and women can all become involved in a criminal act involving illegal drugs. We also understand that your involvement in this type of situation does not make you a lifestyle criminal. If you are ready to move past your drug offense, our experienced criminal defense attorneys are prepared to find the best way to resolve your case.

If you have been charged with a drug offense in Orlando, Florida or the surrounding areas, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm to schedule a free consultation.

Orlando Teen Arrested for Impersonating Officer

2012-01-20T09:21:00.000-08:00

An 18-year-old teenage male was caught impersonating a Miami Beach police officer on Thursday morning. According toauthorities, the teen was driving a car that was outfitted with the sameequipment used in an unmarked policecruiser. He drove up to a car stopped at an intersection near Lincoln Roadand Washington Avenue and asked the driver why he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt,not realizing that the man he wasattempting to “bust” was a realundercover police officer.

Theundercover officer asked the teenager if he was an officer with the Miami Beachpolice department, and the teenager said “yes.”Since the veteran did not recognize the teen, he proceeded to stop him and inspect his vehicle, quickly finding:

Aloaded .38 calibur handgun
Tasers
Handcuffs
Badgefrom Osceola County Sheriff’s Office
Matchingdepartment-issued ID

Deputiesreport that the badge is a fake, butthe ID card is actually authentic; the teen received it when he was a volunteerfor the Explorers Program, which is designed to allow young adults to work withlaw enforcement on behalf of the community. He was terminated from the programin 2010 and never returned the badge.

The teenagercurrently faces charges of impersonatinga police officer, carrying a concealedweapon, and carrying a concealedfirearm. He is awaiting trial and has been denied bond.

If you havebeen arrested for fraud,impersonation of a police officer, or any other type of felony or misdemeanor, your freedom andfuture could both be in jeopardy. Contact ourexperienced Orlando criminal defenselawyers at The Umansky Law Firmtoday for a free case review. We can help protect your rights and minimize the criminalconsequences in your case.

Former Alabama Football Star Arrested on Marijuana Charge

2012-01-18T08:08:00.000-08:00

Dre Kirkpatrick, a former Alabama cornerback, was arrested in Bradenton, Florida on Tuesday for a drug offense of possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, according to the Associated Press. He was later released on $120 bond.

The arrest comes just a week after Kirkpatrick announced he would not be attending school his senior year so he can enter the NFL draft. Kirkpatrick was riding in a car with another former Alabama player when police pulled them over. The driver had been driving in the wrong lane. A police dog detected drugs, and marijuana was found on the floor at Kirkpatrick's feet. The driver told police he had purchased the drugs inside a home, and Kirkpatrick said he had been waiting in the car and did not know marijuana was being purchased.

Anyone can become involved in a situation involving illegal drugs. Just because you were caught up in this type of situation does not mean you are a lifetime criminal or a bad person; however, you may face a number of consequences. The criminal defense lawyers at the Umansky Law Firm will work to find all possible ways to minimize the severity of these consequences. We handle drug charges stemming from a variety of offenses, including:

Possession
Trafficking
Importing
Distributing
Growing or cultivating

During this difficult time, our attorneys will be on your side, looking out for your best interest and protecting your rights.

Snoop Dogg’s Bus Busted by Drug Dog

2012-01-13T08:02:00.000-08:00

Hip-hop star Snoop Dogg – an outspoken advocate ofpot, with a license for medical marijuana in California –currently faces a drug charge after Border Patrol searched his tour bus ona West Texas highway. It was the same stretch of road where country singer Willie Nelson was similarly busted in2010.

During aroutine Border Patrol check of United States citizenship, an agent noticed the odor of marijuana coming from inside ofSnoop Dogg’s vehicle, and used a drug-detectiondog to sniff out three prescriptionbottles of marijuana cigarettes.

Snoop Dogg(real name Calvin Broadus) freelyadmitted to being the owner of the three bottles. He was subsequently arrested and detained by the Border Patrol agents. After being cited for possession of drug paraphernalia, hewas given a January 20^th court date and released.

If you havebeen charged with a drug offense in the Orlando, Florida area, don’t let yourmistake define you. First-timeoffenders are eligible for several programs that may result in dropped or dismissed drug charges. But even if this is your second or thirdoffense, we can help you get back on your feet again.

Please contact ourexperienced Orlando drug offense lawyersat the Umansky Law Firm today toschedule a free personal consultation. We will do everything we can to minimizeyour sentence.

Three Tourists from Peru arrested for Shoplifting

2012-01-12T11:46:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week, three Peruvian tourists were arrested for shoplifting from a South Florida T.J. Maxx. The shoplifters had two children with them. They took about $120 worth of clothing, but they were arrested before leaving the premises.

Just like Florida residents, tourists vacationing in the state are capable of making mistakes, and these mistakes often have criminal consequences. Freed from the responsibilities and familiarity of home, as a tourist you may find yourself in certain situations that could lead to an arrest. Common criminal charges for tourists include:

At the Umansky Law Firm, our experienced criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to protecting the rights of tourists and residents alike. We understand that you want to return to normalcy, and we work hard to find the best possible solution to your case.

If you have been charged with theft or shoplifting while vacationing in Orlando or any other cities in Central Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense lawyers at the Umansky Law Firm to schedule a consultation.

Osceola Marijuana Grow House Busted, Four Arrested

2012-01-06T09:16:00.001-08:00

On Tuesday,the Orlando Sheriff’s Department busteda home in Osceola County used for growing marijuana. The OsceolaCounty Investigative Bureau received a tip about the grow house and proceededto obtain a warrant to enter the home.

When the SWAT team and narcotics agents entered the home, they discovered 42 marijuana plants and close to 35 pounds of marijuana. Four men were arrested as a result of the raid. Threeof the men face drug offense charges of marijuana cultivation and trafficking,while one man has only been charged with cultivation.

If you havebeen arrested for drug trafficking, cultivation, or any other type of drugoffense, you may be facing several potentially severe criminalconsequences. Our experienced Orlandodrug offense attorneys at TheUmansky Law Firm understand that sometimes people make mistakes, and wewant to help you fight for a second chance.

We will doeverything possible under the Florida legal system to defend your rights and minimizeyour sentence. Contactus today to schedule a free initial consultation. Our Orlandocriminal defense team is available every day to meet with you.

Florida Men Accused of Steel Pipe Theft have 128 Prior Arrests

2012-01-04T09:26:00.001-08:00

Three men with 128 prior arrests between them face charges of grand theft and trespassing after attempting to take steel pipes from a construction zone, according to the Orlando Sentinel. The men are registered felons.

The men were arrested after they were seen loading the steel pipes onto three trucks with trailers. Although the construction site was fenced off, the men had cut a hole in the fence and backed the trucks onto the construction site.

"No trespassing" signs were present at the site, but the men claimed to have permission to remove the pipes. The property manager has said this is not true. The men were booked into the Osceola County Jail, each with a bail set at $2,000.

A history of past offenses combined with grand theft may carry serious consequences. Grand theft implies the goods stolen are valued at more than $300. Criminal consequences for grand theft may include:

Jail time
Fines
Probation
Community service

Even if you are facing a felony theft charge, you may be eligible for certain programs that may lead to dropped charges. At the Umansky Law Firm, our defense attorneys look for solutions resulting in positive outcomes, even if you have a history of past offenses.

If you have been charged with theft in Orlando, Florida or the surrounding areas, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm to schedule a consultation.

Falsely Accused Woman Sues Orlando Police

2011-12-30T07:57:00.000-08:00

An Orlando woman who spent three months in a Florida jail is now suingthe Orlando Police Department for falselyaccusing her. The woman was arrestedin 2007 and charged with vandalizing ahome, but she claims she never committed the misdemeanor.

Her attorneysperformed an investigation and discovered that the real vandal’s name was Merline, which is similar to the accused woman’s first name, Malenee. Theaccused woman was working at a Burger King in the Orlando area at the same timethat police claim witnesses placed her at the scene of the crime.

As herattorney points out, innocent people are often convicted of crimes they did notcommit, and it is unfortunately rare that the truth is discovered and the falseaccusations are brought to light. Although Malenee’s charges have been dropped, the attorneys are hoping she willreceive compensation for the threemonths she had to spend in jail, and for the humiliation – in both her personal and public life – of beingfalsely accused of a crime.

If you havebeen falsely accused of committing a misdemeanor or felony, please contact ourexperienced Orlando criminal defense attorneys at The Umansky Law Firm todayfor a free initial consultation. We can help you get back on solid ground.

Previous DUI Offender Caught Driving Drunk with Kids in his Van

2011-12-29T07:35:00.000-08:00

A 30-year-old man faces charges of drunk driving and speeding away from cops with unrestrained children as his passengers, according to the Orlando Sentinel. The man has three previous DUI convictions, from 1998, 2001 and 2003.

Earlier today, the man was in Pinellas County Jail without bond. He was on felony probation when he was arrested. Allegedly, witnesses saw two children trying to wake the man, who was asleep behind the wheel of a stopped minivan. When the man awoke, he began driving and ran a stop sign.

Traffic violations, like DUI, may carry serious consequences, including:

Suspension of driver's license
Fines
Jail time
Higher insurance rate

With New Year's Eve festivities occurring across Florida this weekend, the criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm urge motorists to drive safely, arrange for cab rides or designated drivers, and don't let friends drive drunk.

If you have been charged with DUI in Orlando or any other city in Central Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm to schedule a consultation.

Florida State Player Arrington Jenkins Arrested for Theft

2011-12-21T14:11:00.001-08:00

Arrington Jenkins, a freshman linebacker for Florida State University’s football team,was recently arrested by Tallahasseepolice for stealing a motorcyclefrom a nearby residence. According to a report, the player has been chargedwith felony vehicular theft,and was released from the Leon County Jail on $5,000 bail this past Sunday evening.

Police were informed by the motorcycle’s owner that the bike was missing at around 2AM on Sunday. Whileinvestigating the theft, officers noticed that skid marks from the motorcycle led directly up to the apartment complex where Jenkins lives.Jenkins eventually admitted to the theft.

If you have been arrested for auto theft or any other typeof felony, you may be facing jail time, hefty fines, suspension ofyour driver’s license, and even loss of future employment opportunities.

Don’t let an error in judgment ruin your life. Ourexperienced Orlando criminal defenseteam at The Umansky Law Firm hasdefended thousands of Florida theft clients. We will work hard to minimize theconsequences in your case and give you a secondchance.

Contact us today fora free case evaluation. The UmanksyLaw Firm represents theft crime clients throughout the Orlando, Florida area.

Text-related Auto Accidents

2011-12-20T14:39:00.000-08:00

As new forms of technology seem to be escalating at a steady rate, they present themselves in many forms of our daily life. Getting ready in the morning listening to your ipod in the shower, or perhaps, reading a chapter of your favorite book from your new Nook. Or maybe, and even most importantly, texting your friend in the car to let them know you will see them after work.

Something that seems so common and mundane to everyday life has now become such a usual routine, that distracters in the car seem normal. People tend to underestimate the size of cell phone use as it becomes an increasing epidemic, and even fail to see the harm it can cause to them and to others.

Although it has been said that the greatest distractions can happen outside the car, the fact is, no one can be an exceptionally good driver when you are using a cell phone to call or text while driving. New plans to promote new technologies that can decrease cell phone use in the car, as well as complete ban of use all together, are trying to be legally passed in all states. So far, it has only been banned in 10 states, and texting while driving has been banned in 35 states.

The bottom line is: no one wants to be a statistic. Roughly 3,000 deaths in 2010 were due to handheld phone use in the car, and no death is worth a text message. People overestimate how good of drivers they are, but if everyone were to use their phones while driving, who would be left on the road?

The government's transportation safety experts are trying to implement a logical way to decrease the use of handheld devices while driving, but for now as the word spreads, we might have to wait sometime until that red flag is waving high. Until then, if you are injured in an auto accident in Orlando, you will need an experienced personal injury attorney to protect you every step of the way. Call the Umansky Law Firm today at (407) 228 - 3970 for a consultation.

Kissimmee Pilot Sentenced for Smuggling Marijuana

2011-12-19T14:08:00.000-08:00

A Kissimmee airplane pilot was sentenced to five years in federal prison for a drug offense, stemming from his part in a marijuana smuggling incident, according to the Orlando Sentinel. This past October, the pilot had pleaded guilty in Orlando to "conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana."

Between 2009 and 2010, the pilot was paid to fly marijuana from Texas to Central Florida onboard his airplane. According to the Orlando Sentinel, about 500 pounds of marijuana were transported each time, and the pilot made about 10 trips back and forth.

In addition to the prison time, the pilot has been ordered to give up his Cessna 206 airplane.

At the Umansky Law Firm, our experienced criminal defense lawyers understand the circumstances that can cause everyday people to get involved with drug offenses. We handle a wide range of drug-related charges, including:

Possession
Distribution
Manufacturing
Cultivation
Importation
Trafficking

Some parties involved in your case will seek the harshest consequences for your situation. Our defense attorneys will be on your side and do everything possible to fight for a positive outcome to your case.

If you have been arrested for a drug offense in Orlando or any other cities in Central Florida, please contact the experienced defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm to schedule a free and confidential consultation.

Sanford Man Faces Reckless Driving Charge after Speeding 117 MPH

2011-12-15T15:22:00.000-08:00

A Sanford, Florida resident is being held in jail with a $2,050 bail after speeding through Sanford at a speed of 117 miles per hour, a serious traffic violation.

A helicopter police crew spotted the vehicle in the early morning hours driving at high speeds and blowing through several red lights. A police officer on the ground recorded the driver’s speed as being 117 m.p.h., which led to a high speed chase. The driver stopped shortly after running over spiked sticks placed on the roadway by officers. The driver now faces charges of reckless driving and eluding an officer at high speeds.

In Florida, a reckless driving conviction may mean jail time and hundreds of dollars in fines. Consequences may be harsher if property damage or serious injury was caused by the reckless driving.

If you have been charged with reckless driving, you still have rights. When facing a traffic violation charge, you may want to consider having an attorney on your side, looking out for your best interest when no one else is.

If you have been charged with reckless driving in Orlando or other cities in Central Florida, please contact the experienced defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm to schedule a free and confidential consultation.

Thirty-One Arrested in Polk County Prostitution Sting

2011-12-14T12:53:00.000-08:00

The Polk County Sheriff’s Department recently arrested 22 people for prostitution and five for solicitation in a sting that targeted online prostitution. Posing as bachelor parties, several detectives placed and answered ads on various websites, including CityVibe, Backpage, and Craigslist.

In three different “bachelor party” scenarios, the women who responded to the ads were driven to a private location by a pimp or driver. During the sting, deputies found crack cocaine packaged for sale inside of one of the cars, and methamphetamines in another vehicle. In addition to charges of prostitution and/or solicitation, some suspects were also charged with:

Possession of drugs with intent to sell
Impersonating a law enforcement officer
Grand theft

If you live in the Orlando, Florida area and have been accused of prostitution, solicitation, or any other type of felony or misdemeanor, you may be facing serious criminal consequences that can affect the rest of your life. However, your mistake does not have to define you. Our experienced Orlando criminal defense team at The Umansky Law Firm will fight to defend your rights and minimize the consequences of your arrest.

Orlando Woman on Liquor Run Charged with Child Neglect

2011-12-08T15:35:00.000-08:00

According to a report from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, guests at a hotel on South Orange Blossom Trail found a 3-year-old boy wandering alone in the hotel’s hallways on Tuesday afternoon. The guests went knocking from door to door in an attempt to help the boy find his mother. They stayed with the boy until his 22-year-old mother finally returned from a liquor store over two hours later.

The Tampa woman claims that she had no idea her son was missing and that he was left in the care of her roommate, whom she described as a prostitute. However, when deputies reviewed surveillance footage from the hotel, they found no proof that someone else was inside the room. Investigators now believe that the woman was fabricating the story about a roommate, as she was unable to provide any more details. The mother has been charged with child neglect.

If you have been arrested for child neglect in the Orlando, Florida area, the potential criminal consequences can affect every aspect of your life – including your future career choices, educational opportunities, and family relationships.

Our experienced Orlando criminal defense attorneys at The Umansky Law Firm can help protect you from the worst of these consequences, fighting for the best possible outcome in your case. Contact us today for a free initial consultation. We believe in giving people second chances.

Following Alleged Domestic Violence, Terrence Howard's Ex Granted a Restraining Order

2011-12-07T10:07:00.000-08:00

The wife of actor Terrence Howard has been granted a restraining order against Howard. His wife accused him of beating her throughout their 1-year marriage. She claims Howard has hit her in the face and even chipped one of her teeth, according to TMZ.com.

Howard has filed legal documents denying any instances of domestic violence against his wife. His wife filed divorce papers earlier this year. Under the restrictions of the restraining order, Howard may not approach or contact his wife until their next court appearance.

Even unsubstantiated allegations of domestic violence often have the power to ruin your reputation and affect relationships with friends, family and coworkers. If convicted of a domestic violence charge, you may face a variety of severe consequences, including:

Mandatory jail time.
A permanent criminal conviction on your record that cannot be sealed or expunged.
Restraining orders barring you from contacting your spouse or children.
Loss of custody of your child or children.

Following a domestic violence charge, you need an attorney looking out for your best interest and protecting your rights; you are innocent until proven guilty. If you are a first-time offender, you may be eligible to participate in certain programs, which may lead to dropped charges.

If you have been charged with domestic violence in Orlando or anywhere else in Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm to schedule a free and confidential consultation.

Rapper Lil Boosie Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for Smuggling Drugs

2011-11-30T10:23:00.001-08:00

In a Louisiana court on Tuesday morning, rapper Lil Boosie – popular for the 2007 hit “Wipe Me Down” – plead guilty to three separate counts of conspiring to smuggle drugs into a prison. He was sentenced to 8 years in prison.

Lil Boosie was originally in jail for drug offenses, but made the situation far worse by repeatedly attempting to bring codeine, ecstasy and marijuana into the prisons where he was staying – twice at Angola State Penitentiary, and once at the Dixon Correctional Center.

Apart from this new sentence, the rapper is also facing a first-degree murder charge for the death of Terry Boyd in 2009. The trial for the murder charge is scheduled to begin on April 30^th.

Drug offenses are one of the most common criminal charges, but they can have serious consequences. If you have been arrested on drug charges in Orlando, our experienced Orlando criminal defense attorneys at The Umansky Law Firm can provide you with clear legal guidance to help you fight a potentially severe conviction.

Your mistake does not have to define your life. If you need representation for a drug arrest, please contact us today to schedule a free confidential case evaluation. We will work tirelessly to help you achieve the best possible outcome in your case.

Holocaust Survivors were almost Identity Theft Victims

2011-11-29T13:15:00.000-08:00

An employee of Jewish Community Services (JCS) of South Florida has been suspended without pay while a police investigation considers allegations of identity theft.

The employee was a coordinator at the North Miami office of JCS. The employee was arrested when she sold the personal information of 32 JCS clients to an undercover police informant. The 32 people were all clients in JCS's Holocaust Survivors' Assistance Program. She sold the information to the informant for $1,000.

The employee had worked at the JCS office for almost three years. As part of her job, she had access to the clients' personal information – including social security numbers, names, addresses and dates of birth. She had passed a State of Florida background check prior to employment.

In Florida, an identity theft conviction can carry serious punishments, including lengthy jail sentences and hefty fines.

Ordinary people – including good employees – are capable of making mistakes. Unfortunately, these mistakes can result in criminal charges. At the Umansky Law Firm, our criminal defense attorneys work tirelessly to find the best possible outcomes for first-time offenders. Anyone is capable of a bad decision. Don't let that bad decision define you.

If you have been charged with identity theft or another type of theft in Orlando or the surrounding Florida areas, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm to schedule a free and confidential consultation.

Orlando Police Officer Arrested in Oxycodone Sting

2011-11-23T07:33:00.000-08:00

An Orlando police officer was arrested during an oxycodone sting while she was on duty this past Saturday. According to Police Chief Paul Rooney, the officer bought pills from an informant early Saturday evening, who then tipped off police that she had asked to buy them. The Tylox pills contained acetaminophen and oxycodone.

The 11-year veteran officer has been relieved of her duty with pay while investigations are conducted. She faces charges of:

Purchase of drugs
Official misconduct
Receiving unlawful compensation for official behavior

All of these charges are felonies.

It is still unclear whether or not the officer has a history of drug abuse, or if she has taken oxycodone as a prescription drug in the past. Police Chief Rooney states that prescription drug abuse has become an epidemic, and hopes his agency can continue to work with the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation to close pill mills.

If you have been convicted of a drug offense, one mistake does not have to define your life. In Florida, drug charges have a high rate of alternative sentencing, especially if you are a first-time offender.

Please contact our experienced Orlando drug offense lawyers at The Umansky Law Firm today for a free initial consultation. We will work tirelessly to help you obtain the best possible outcome in your case.

Sly Stone Agrees to Plea Deal, Avoids Jail Time

2011-11-16T07:09:00.000-08:00

Sly Stone, the former funk singer from Sly and the Family Stone, agreed to a plea deal stemming from his arrest in April for cocaine possession. The deal lets him avoid jail time.

The 68-year-old singer was arrested for a drug offense when Los Angeles police found freebase cocaine in his vehicle. On Tuesday, Stone pleaded no contest to drug possession charges. Under the terms of the deal, Stone must complete 60 days of drug rehab, in addition to the 30 days he has already completed. If he completes drug rehab successfully, the case will be dropped.

A few months ago, it had been reported that Stone was homeless and living in a van in a residential Los Angeles neighborhood.

Stone’s plea deal is an example of positive outcomes that can be reached after receiving a drug charge.

If you have been charged with a drug offense in Orlando or anywhere in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm to schedule a free and confidential consultation.

Orlando Man Arrested in Winter Park Church Burglary

2011-11-15T09:16:00.000-08:00

After being released from jail over the weekend, an Orlando man named Curt Alterizio broke into a Lutheran church in Winter Park in an attempted burglary. Police responded to the alarm and successfully arrested the 39-year-old man on the premises. As they led him to a patrol car, a church member who also heard the alarm recognized Alterizio as the same man who broke into their church over a year ago. He had been instructed by the judge that he could not come within 500 feet of the church upon his release.

According to Deputies, Alterizio broke into the building the same way he did before: by shattering the rear window and kicking in the office door of the learning center director. Several offices were raided, but only $23 was found in Alterizio’s pockets. He now faces new burglary charges, two of which are felonies:

Burglary
Criminal mischief
Petty theft
Possession of burglary tools

If you have been convicted of a felony like burglary, don’t let your mistake ruin your life. Our experienced Orlando criminal defense team at The Umansky Law Firm can help you fight for a second chance. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

Motocross Star Gets Community Service

2011-11-09T13:29:00.000-08:00

After pleading no contest to a misdemeanor, motocross star James "Bubba" Stewart was ordered to perform 75 hours of community service at the Osceola County Courthouse in Florida.

In March, Stewart had used flashing lights he bought from a flea market to pull over another vehicle on the road. The other vehicle contained two police officers. Once Stewart realized he had pulled over real cops, he sped off and was later arrested at the Orlando International Airport on a felony charge of police impersonation.

Using flashing or rotating lights on a non-official vehicle is a misdemeanor. Because Stewart was a first-time offender, adjudication of guilt was withheld. In addition to community service, Stewart also received a $500 fine and one year's probation.

Like Stewart, many first-time offenders may be able to receive desirable outcomes to their case. When adjudication is withheld, the court can still order you to probation without giving you a criminal conviction. First-time offenders are often given a second chance if the court recognizes that the offender made a mistake and is unlikely to engage in repeat criminal behavior.

If you have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony as a first-time offender in Orlando or elsewhere in the state of Florida, or if you have a criminal record but would like to reform your behavior and find a positive outcome to your case, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm to schedule a consultation.

‘That’s So Raven’ Star Orlando Brown Pleads Guilty in DUI Case

2011-11-07T16:00:00.000-08:00

Actor Orlando Brown from Disney’s TV show ‘That’s So Raven’ was pulled over by police in August and convicted of driving under the influence. His BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) was allegedly over twice the legal limit. At first, Brown’s manager insisted on his client’s innocence, but he has since changed tactics and has now struck a deal that will keep Brown out of jail if he abides by the deal’s specific terms and conditions.

The L.A. City Attorney’s office reports that Brown pled no contest to a single count of driving with a BAC more than .08%. In return for his no-contest plea, the actor has been given 36 months of probation, a $390 fine, and a single day in jail, which he has already served. Additionally, he is required to undergo an alcohol education program and attend ten AA meetings.

A DUI charge can have serious consequences, especially if you have been convicted of driving under the influence before. Our experienced Orlando DUI defense team at the Umansky Law Firm believes in second chances. We will work to help you reduce the severity of your sentence and move forward with your life.

If you have been convicted of a DUI in the Orlando, Florida area, please contact us today for a free initial consultation. We are dedicated to defending your constitutional rights.

Celebrity Hacker Christopher Chaney Pleads “Not Guilty”

2011-11-02T08:30:00.001-07:00

After famously hacking the cell phones of celebrities like Christina Aguilera, Mila Kunis, and Scarlett Johansson, 35-year-old Christopher Chaney of Florida has been arrested on several charges, including:

25 counts of aggravated identity theft
Fraud
Wiretapping
Unauthorized access

The arrest, which occurred in mid-October, came after a year-long FBI investigation into celebrity hacking that authorities had dubbed “Operation Hackerazzi.” The FBI believes that Chaney has hacked over 50 email accounts and hijacked their forwarding features, enabling him to receive copies of any data sent from the cell phones. He faces a prison sentence of 121 years.

Cheney’s family claims that he was only one of many hackers, and that he was not the leader of the outfit. “The law hasn’t caught the big guys yet,” one family member stated. “He just got caught up in this whole thing. It was like a game.”

Cheney pleaded “not guilty” on Tuesday morning, and a trial has been scheduled for December 27^th, 2011.

If you have been accused of fraud and/or identity theft, our experienced Orlando criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm will work tirelessly to help you achieve the best possible outcome in your case. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation.

35 People Arrested near Walt Disney World for Prostitution, Drugs

2011-11-01T13:11:00.001-07:00

An undercover prostitution sting in Kissimmee resulted in the arrest of 35 people on prostitution and drug-related charges. The operation took place over two days and was organized in response to business owners reporting illegal activity in the area.

The location of the arrests was in the area of U.S. Highway 192 and Siesta Lago Boulevard. There are numerous motels, restaurants and other businesses along the stretch of highway leading to Celebration and Walt Disney World. The businesses cater to tourists and residents alike, but only two of the 35 people arrested were residents from outside of Florida.

In the lives of everyday people, prostitution and drug charges are often mistakes and errors in judgment. At the Umansky Law Firm, we understand the sensitive nature of these charges, and we know that you would like to resolve these legal issues and move on with your life. Our experienced defense attorneys will handle your case confidentially and work to find the best possible outcome for you.

If you have been charged with prostitution or a drug offense in Orlando, Florida, or anywhere in the state, please contact the experienced defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm to schedule a free and confidential consultation.

Man Arrested for Carjacking While Impersonating Deputy

2011-10-27T08:07:00.000-07:00

A recent SWAT standoff in Orlando ended with the arrest of 22-year-old Joshua Chavarria, who is suspected of posing as a deputy while committing an armed carjacking. The victim of the theft and fraud told Orlando Police that Chavarria was wearing a vest with the word “sheriff” printed on it, and claimed he was a law enforcement officer.

Chavarria was carrying a handgun and ordered the victim out of the car. After handcuffing him and searching him, Chavarria took the victim’s cash and property, then stole his car and fled the scene.

According to investigators, a vest that matches the victim’s description was stolen from a Sheriff’s Office vehicle about a month ago, along with some guns and other equipment. The victim successfully identified Chavarria from a photo lineup, and a SWAT team proceeded to arrest him after receiving a tip that he was at the Windmill Point apartments on Alafaya Trail. He is being held without bail, and faces several charges, including:

Aggravated assault with a firearm
Carjacking
False imprisonment
Robbery with a firearm
Impersonating an officer

If you have been charged with theft or fraud in the Orlando, Florida area, please contact our experienced criminal defense lawyers at the Umansky Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation. We will work tirelessly to help you reach the best possible outcome in your case.

Woman Leaves Children in Car while she Shoplifts

2011-10-25T07:43:00.000-07:00

A Kissimmee woman left her 11-year-old daughter and a friend’s infant in the car while she was shoplifting.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Stacey Armstrong went into a Publix supermarket and was caught stealing bags of candy and cosmetics, items totaling about $100 in value. She left her car running with her daughter and a newborn she was babysitting inside.

The woman admitted to shoplifting once before from another Publix location, and she said on that occasion she had stolen goods worth about $160. Armstrong said she could afford the merchandise and was not sure why she had shoplifted.

Armstrong faces two counts of petty theft and one count of child neglect.

A petty theft misdemeanor involves stealing goods with a total value under $300. There are a number of possible consequences for a petty theft conviction, including jail time and fines. Shoplifting is fairly common in Florida and often perpetrated by first-time offenders. Whether you have shoplifted before or if you are a first-time offender, the attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm will work aggressively to find the best possible outcome to your case.

If you have been charged with theft or shoplifting in Orlando, Florida, or anywhere in Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense lawyers at the Umansky Law Firm to schedule a consultation.

Lindsay Lohan Posts $100,000 Bail, Starts Morgue Duty

2011-10-20T15:49:00.001-07:00

After having her probation revoked by Judge Stephanie Sautner at a hearing this past Wednesday, Lindsay Lohan quickly posted a $100,000 bail bond. She spent less than an hour in custody. A hearing is set for November 2^nd, during which Judge Sautner will decide whether or not Lohan has indeed violated her probation terms, which she called “a gift, not a right.”

If the actress is found in violation, it is unclear whether or not she would head back to jail, or simply be faced with further home detention. Regardless, Lohan stated that she intends to fulfill her community service obligations by starting work at the L.A. County Morgue today.

Unfortunately, she arrived at the morgue 40 minutes late for work, and was subsequently rejected by the morgue staffer. She claims that she wasn’t sure which entrance to use to report for duty, and will try again tomorrow.

If you have violated your probation, you may be facing a wide range of potential consequences – including jail time, loss of your driver’s license, heavy fines, and even conviction of crimes the judge had previously deferred. Our Orlando criminal defense team can help.

Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation. The Umansky Law Firm represents probation violation clients throughout Orlando, Florida.

Florida Woman Arrested after Driving Drunk, Punching Son and Husband

2011-10-18T09:34:00.000-07:00

According to the Orlando Sentinel, 41-year-old Patricia Siciliano attempted to drive after a heavy day of drinking at Destination Daytona. Siciliano was not arrested for DUI, but for a series of charges stemming from the family fight that erupted between her, her son and her husband in the car.

Siciliano was arrested earlier this week on charges of domestic assault, child abuse and resisting arrest. Upon leaving Destination Daytona, Siciliano got in the car to drive, despite her son begging his father to drive. The boy said his mother was speeding on Interstate 4 in excess of 100 mph and having difficulty controlling the car. Siciliano began hitting her son and husband after they forced her to let her husband drive.

The truck eventually ran out of gasoline and the boy called 911. When an officer arrived and handcuffed Siciliano, she spit in the officer’s face. Siciliano also kicked at the windows of the officer’s car and again spit at officers as they tried to restrain her.

A DUI charge does not have to define you. If you have been charged with DUI in Orlando or anywhere in Florida, please contact the experienced defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm to schedule a free and confidential consultation.

Big Boi Reaches Deal on Drug Charges

2011-10-17T07:36:00.000-07:00

Hip-hop artist and Outkast band member Antwan "Big Boi" Patton has reached a deal to avoid jail time for the drug charges he received in August.

Back in August, Big Boi was returning from a cruise ship vacation to Puerto Rico and Grand Turk Island. When exiting the ship in Miami, Florida, Big Boi was arrested for drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia after a drug-sniffing dog detected the illegal substances. The 36-year-old rapper was in possession of MDMA powder, Ecstasy, Viagra pills, and a cigarette roller containing marijuana residue. He consequently received two felony drug charges.

On October 13, Big Boi avoided jail time for the charges by reaching a deal that includes drug testing, community service, and a donation of $2,000 to a charitable organization. As part of the deal, Big Boi must remain drug-free for three months in order to have the felony charges dropped.

According to Big Boi's attorney, the drugs were discovered in the "collective luggage" of the group traveling with Big Boi.

If you have been arrested for drug charges anywhere in Florida, including Orlando and Orange County, please contact the experienced Florida defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm to schedule a free and confidential consultation.

Florida Drunk Driver offers Taco as form of ID

2011-10-12T11:39:00.000-07:00

A 30-year-old man was arrested in South Florida earlier this month for DUI charges. When police asked for his ID, he presented a taco.

Police responded to a call from a Taco Bell manager who reported that a truck was stopped in the drive-thru and smoke was billowing from the vehicle. When police got to the fast food restaurant, they found an intoxicated driver, Matthew Falkner, asleep at the wheel with his foot on the gas pedal. Apparently, Falkner had picked up his food, driven a few yards, parked the car and passed out.

When police asked Falkner for his identification, he initially refused, When asked again, he reached inside the Taco Bell bag and presented the officer with a taco. The police told him they wanted his ID, not a taco, and Falkner responded to this by attempting to eat the taco.

Shortly after, police discovered that the truck had caught fire, causing the smoke noticed by the manager. The flames were put out with extinguishers.

According to NBCMiami.com, Falkner had a blood alcohol content of .227, roughly three times the legal limit in Florida of .08.

Falkner was arrested for DUI, booked and later released.

If you have been charged with DUI in Orlando or any other Florida cities, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm to schedule a consultation.

Florida Woman and Nine Men Charged With Prostitution and Solicitation

2011-10-11T15:14:00.000-07:00

A recent prostitution sting in Virginia led to ten arrests:

A woman from Florida charged with prostitution
Three men charged with soliciting a prostitute
Six men charged with solicitation of prostitution

The sting was part of Henrico County’s “All Points Crime Initiative,” which is designed to pinpoint quality of life issues within the area. During the week of October 3–9, Henrico Police arrested a total of 115 people: 98 of which were charged with traffic violations, and 12 with criminal charges.

Our Orlando criminal defense team at the Umansky Law Firm understands how sensitive and difficult charges of prostitution and solicitation can be. These arrests can tear families apart and have a dramatic effect on your future, resulting in suspension of your driver’s license, jail time, loss of employment, and heavy fines.

If you have been charged with prostitution or solicitation in Orange County, Orlando, or anywhere else in Florida, please contact our experienced criminal defense attorneys today for a free and confidential case evaluation. We believe everyone deserves a second chance, and will put our unique legal strategies to work for you.

Woman Arrested for DUI after Picking Up Kids at School

2011-10-05T13:07:00.001-07:00

The 42-year-old mother of two elementary school aged children was arrested and charged for driving under the influence and child neglect in Orange County on Monday.

According to the police report, the suspect was pulled over for allegedly running a red light in a pickup truck. Deputies allege they immediately smelled alcohol on her breath. She appeared intoxicated, had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech, and was driving barefoot.

The suspect said she was not drunk, just tired from drinking a lot the day before. She claims she consumed nine beers on Saturday and several more on Sunday. However, she said she had a beer before leaving to pick up her children at school.

The suspect refused to take a field sobriety test and was placed in the backseat of a patrol car where she allegedly passed out. Breath tests taken at the hospital returned results of 0.244 and 0.256.

She is currently being held in Orange County Jail.

If you have been charged with DUI in the Orange County or Orlando, Florida area, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umanksy Law Firm today.

Tone Loc Pleads No Contest to Domestic Violence

2011-10-04T10:14:00.001-07:00

Rapper and sometimes-actor Tone Loc, whose "Funky Cold Medina" and "Wild Thing" made the kids go crazy once upon a time, pleaded no contest to domestic violence in Los Angeles, California. Tone Loc, whose name is Anthony Smith, was involved in a fight a few months ago with the mother of his child. He was charged with injuring her and possession of an assault rifle. Investigators say the AR-15 was not used in the fight.

After his arrest in June, Smith posted a $50,000 bond less than three hours later.

Smith was sentenced to one day in the county jail, three years probation, one year of anger management counseling, and 30 days of community service by a Burbank superior court judge.

A charge of domestic violence risks more than your freedom and pocket book. It affects your standing in the community and how people view you. If you're rich and famous, sure, you can pay for any fines that come your way, but there are a lot more people who know you and are aware of what you've done. For many people what others think of them is much more important than any jail time or probation.

If you have been charged with domestic violence in Orange County or Orlando, Florida, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm for an initial free and confidential consultation today.

Six Romulus, Michigan Police Officers Facing Drug and Prostitution Charges

2011-09-28T15:24:00.001-07:00

Multiple drug and prostitution charges were brought against the former police chief of Romulus, Michigan, his wife, and five other police officers by state officials this week. The seven are charged with running a scheme in which forfeited
drug money was allegedly used to pay for marijuana, alcohol, and prostitutes.

According to the Wayne County prosecutor, the charges come after a three-year investigation by Michigan State Police.

The former police chief is facing ten charges, including conducting a criminal enterprise and acquiring or maintaining a criminal enterprise. His wife has been charged with conspiracy criminal enterprise and acquiring or maintaining a criminal enterprise. Each of them faces 20 years in prison if they are convicted.

The other five officers, all detectives, face felony charges ranging from racketeering to misconduct in office. Felony racketeering carries a 20 year prison sentence.

The defendants were ordered to surrender their passports and granted bond. They have been suspended without pay pending the outcome of the proceedings.

The State Police
investigation began two years ago when it was discovered the department's narcotics
unit was no paying its informants correctly. Homes and places of business were raided last March.

If you have been charged with a crime in the Orange County or Orlando, Florida area, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm for a free and confidential case evaluation.

Man Declared Dead in 1986 Pleads Guilty to Fraud

2011-09-27T08:01:00.001-07:00

A Chicago-area commodities broker who disappeared in 1979 and was declared dead in 1986, resurfaced in Las Vegas in July – and was promptly arrested and charged with fraud. The man, now 73, pleaded guilty yesterday in court.

According to Nevada
authorities, the man was living under an assumed name and working at the Rampart Casino. He would probably have gone along just fine, but the man whose name he assumed complained to the Social Security office that he never worked in any casinos like his statements said. The suspect allegedly attempted to renew his drivers license in 2008 using the victim's name.

The suspect was originally charged with four felony counts of identity theft and fraud. This is a category E felony, the least serious felony in Nevada, and usually carries probation and a fine. The plea deal reached states as much, but the final conditions will be determined by the Nevada attorney general.

The man's reasons for leaving Chicago in 1979 vary, depending on who you speak to. The suspect says he held a seat on the Chicago Board of Trade, but made a mistake and was forced to sell his seat to pay a debt. He then decided to leave his family, citing unemployment, a marriage with problems, and a desire to start over. However, his wife says the only reason he sold his seat on the Board of Trade was to pay off gambling debts. An investigator said he believed the suspect may have been fleeing the mob.

Whatever the reason, the man is 73-years-old and is not a threat to anyone. Yes, he made a string of serious errors, which he has admitted to. However, probation and a fine are the right call here. Imprisoning this man would serve no one any good, and might even be excessive. Anything between him and his family has no place in court. However, his next court appearance is at the end of January, so his future and freedom are still precarious.

If you have been charged with fraud in the Orange County or Orlando, Florida area, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today.

Mother Arrested after Child Brings Crack Pipe to Show and Tell

2011-09-22T08:02:00.001-07:00

A Missouri Kindergartner was told to bring an item important to his family for show and tell earlier this month. However, he allegedly brought a crack pipe and an ounce of drugs to show his class. As a result, the child's 32-year-old mother was charged with possession of a controlled substance and one count of first degree child endangerment.

According to the police report, the teacher told police the class was supposed to bring pictures of their family for show and tell. However, the boy produced a pipe and "several baggies of crack rocks." The drugs allegedly tested positive for methamphetamine with an estimated value of around $3700.

Police say the drugs were found in the child's backpack in the hall and that they never came in contact with any of the boy's classmates.

When police searched the house, a police dog found another pipe. The mother was arrested and bond was set for $7500.

Friends of the mother say her life began to spiral after her husband died earlier this year in a car accident and she was left with a large military pension. After the mother posted bail, she was then taken to the hospital for complications from a previous gastrointestinal surgery.

If you have been charged with a drug offense in the Orange County or Orlando, Florida area, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umanksy Law Firm today.

Orlando Woman Arrested in Connection with String of Burglaries

2011-09-20T08:22:00.001-07:00

Several recent burglaries in Delaney Park may be connected to one 21-year-old Orlando, Florida woman. She is allegedly responsible for one burglary in a string of burglaries, and has been charged for burglary in Dover Shores. She was allegedly caught on camera and video during the burglary. Her car was allegedly the get-away vehicle.

According to Orlando police, the woman was arrested after she was picked up near an intersection and interviewed. Detectives say the woman allegedly stole several electronic items from a home on August 22, including a guitar and amplifiers, a 60-inch TV, an iPad, two iPods, two Playstation 3 game systems, several computer games, two bottles of cologne, and a camera. Detectives tracked the items through their serial numbers after they were pawned at several shops.

The woman has been charged with burglary of a dwelling, dealing in stolen property, violating Florida's pawn act, and grand theft.

Also arrested was an 18-year-old male for pawning some of the electronics.

If you have been charged with burglary in the Orange County or Orlando, Florida area, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today.

Former MLB Player Manny Ramirez Arrested in Domestic Dispute in Miami

2011-09-14T13:31:00.001-07:00

Former Major League Baseball player Manny Ramirez was arrested in Miami on Monday for allegedly slapping his wife in the face. He has been charged with one count of domestic violence.

Ramirez's wife called 911 and said, "Hi, my husband just hit me." She claims he hit her so hard her head slammed into the headboard of their bed. She also claimed that Ramirez was not doing anything to her anymore since he knew she was calling the police. She reportedly had a small bruise on the back of her head and some swelling to the left side of her face.

Ramirez allegedly told the Broward sheriff's deputy who came to his residence that he had grabbed his wife and "shrugged" her, which caused her to hit her head on the headboard.

Ramirez bonded out on $2500 and was ordered to stay 500 feet from his wife.

Ramirez retired from the Tampa Bay Rays after facing a 100 game suspension for his second positive performance enhancing drug test in two years. He also played with the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox.

If you have been charged with domestic violence in the Orange County or Orlando, Florida area, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today.

20 Goddess Temple Members Arrested for Prostitution in Arizona

2011-09-13T07:59:00.001-07:00

A group calling itself the Goddess Temple has seen 20 members arrested for allegedly offering sex services online in return for "religious healing" in Arizona. Undercover officers are looking for an additional 17 members of the group in Phoenix and Sedona, Arizona.

According to police reports, an investigation started six months ago. Detectives say they uncovered evidence of both male and female members of the group, called "practitioners," performed sexual acts for "donations" and under the guise of offering religious services. The temple offered sex-ed and sex toy classes, as well as sessions designed as "heal sexual blockages" for hundreds of dollars.

One of those arrested was Goddess Temple founder, Tracy Elise. She was involved in a similar investigation in Seattle in 2009, in which a suspected brothel was shut down.

Elise has been charged with prostitution, pandering, operating a house of prostitution, and illegal control of an enterprise. Others arrested face charges of prostitution, conspiracy, and offering a massage without a license.

Police find this case especially "disheartening" because the group allegedly tried to cover up their crimes in the guise of religious freedom.

If you have been charged with prostitution or solicitation in Orange County or Orlando, Florida, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm for a free and confidential consultation today.

Major California Democratic Campaign Treasurer Charged with Fraud

2011-09-07T08:41:00.001-07:00

This might not seem like such a large story if there weren't so many groups involved. Burbank, California-based Democratic campaign treasurer, Kinde Durkee, has been charged with federal mail fraud for allegedly stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from her long list of clients.

So far, the only name attached to the criminal count is that of Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Santa Ana). However, other big name federal, state, and local clients on Durkee's roster include the Democratic parties of several counties, such as Orange, and cities, such as Los Angeles and Long Beach.

According to the FBI, Durkee allegedly admitted to misappropriating the funds while being interviewed. She allegedly used funds from her clients' accounts and filed false campaign reports to cover up her theft. The mail fraud count stems from filing false campaign reports.

Durkee allegedly took trips to Disneyland and other places, paid her mortgage, paid for her mother's assisted living, and paid for other business expenses with the funds.

According to the complaint, in October 2010, Durkee allegedly made two separate transactions totaling nearly $680,000 from Solorio for Assembly in 2010 to a Durkee & Associates business account without her client's permission or knowledge. The withdrawals were not noted on disclosure forms filed with California.

Durkee has pleaded not guilty. The US attorney's office in Sacramento has said the fraud case may expand to include the accounts of other clients of Durkee, but it is unknown how many individuals or groups that might be. Some of the alleged victims have no idea how much they have lost, and some are worried about making payroll.

If you have been charged with fraud, theft, or shoplifting in Orange County or Orlando, Florida, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today for an initial free and confidential case consultation.

My Chemical Romance Drummer Fired for Stealing from Band

2011-09-06T13:59:00.001-07:00

Here is a perfect example of how getting caught stealing can ruin more than your day. The fill-in drummer for My Chemical Romance was fired after he allegedly stole from the band after a show in Washington last night. He allegedly confessed to police.

Michael Pedicone was the second drummer for the alt rock band from New Jersey. He began playing with the band in late 2010.

In a blog post, the band's guitarist, Frank Iero says the band is "heartbroken and sick to [their] stomachs," but will not say what Pedicone stole. He was allegedly caught red-handed. Iero says the band has no intention of pressing charges and that My Chemical Romance simply wants Pedicone out of their lives. Iero also says, "The people who play in this band are a family, and family should not take advantage of each other like he did."

Pedicone apologized through Twitter and says the situation is "more complicated than it sounds." He admits he made a mistake and was an error in judgment based on another issue he is going through.

Sadly for Pedicone, his name will be associated with theft and he may have trouble working with other musicians. It may in fact be easier for the average person who has been charged with theft to move on than it is for someone who is semi-famous.

Although you will have to make amends somehow, and may also have lots of explaining to do to your family, friends, and associates, a charge of theft does not have to ruin your reputation or employment. Unfortunately, it looks like Pedicone may have ruined both of these in one fell swoop. Hopefully, he can move past this situation in a short amount of time.

If you have been charged with theft, fraud, or shoplifting in the Orange County or Orlando, Florida, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today.

Rapper T.I. Released from Prison Early

2011-09-01T09:02:00.001-07:00

Rap artist T.I. will serve the rest of his prison time in a half-way house in his hometown of Atlanta. T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, was serving time for a probation violation. This stemmed from a drug offense last October after he was found in possession of ecstasy pills. He was originally going to serve through September.

Luckily for T.I. he already has a book deal and a TV reality show waiting in the wings for him. He has already had a reality show on MTV that followed him around as he spoke about his mistakes, and imploring kids to avoid making the same ones he has.

The reality show was part of a plea agreement made as part of his probation, which stipulated 1000 hours of community service. While he did spend his time talking to schoolchildren about the dangers of drugs and gang violence, this was when he was found to be in possession of ecstasy.

T.I. was serving probation after a seven month prison stint for trying to buy unregistered guns and silencers from undercover federal agents.

Although T.I. has the fame and money as a recording artist, a book deal for a novel he wrote, and a reality TV show in the future, he can be sent back to prison for another mistake, just like anyone else can.

If you are facing a drug charge or a probation violation and are in the Orange County or Orlando, Florida area, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today.

Uncle of President Obama Charged with DUI

2011-08-30T08:37:00.001-07:00

Onyango Obama, uncle of President Barack Obama, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence last week in Framingham, Massachusetts. According to law enforcement, Obama rolled through a stop sign and almost caused a police car to hit an SUV.

When he was stopped, Obama allegedly became argumentative with the police officer when he was told why he was pulled over. He failed a field sobriety test and then blew a 0.14 on his blood-alcohol test.

After he was booked, police asked him whether he wanted to make a call and arrange bail. Obama reportedly said, "I think I will call the White House."

In addition to his DUI, Obama, who is the half-brother of the president's father, is being detained on an immigration violation. He pleaded not guilty last Friday, but is still being held without bail. According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Obama had received a deportation or removal order some time ago.

Obama was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, failure to yield the right
of way, and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

In his memoir, Dreams from My Father, a book about retracing his Kenyan roots and a trip made in 1988 to that country, the president references an Uncle Omar, who has the same description and birth date as the 67-year-old Onyango. He is "the uncle who had left for America twenty-five years ago and had never come back," as well as someone who was not seen for a long time and stopped communicating with his family.

A spokesman for the ICE, as well as the White House, has no comment about this.

If you or a family member has been charged with DUI in Orange County or Orlando, Florida, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today.

Massive Pill Mill Operation Allegedly “Dismantled” in Southern Florida

2011-08-24T08:25:00.001-07:00

State and federal law enforcement agencies allege they have dismantled the nation's largest illegal painkiller distribution network on Tuesday here in Florida.

Authorities say they charged over 30 doctors, owners of pain clinics, and their employees with prescribing more than 20 million pain pills. It is believed the operation raked in $40 million between 2008 and 2010.

The unsealed indictment charges the suspects with racketeering, money laundering, and wire and mail fraud conspiracy. Some of those involved in this group were also allegedly involved in the illegal distribution of anabolic steroids through the internet, kidnapping, extortion, and other violent crimes. Thirteen of those implicated are doctors as old as 76-years-old.

Feds
seized homes and cars worth $9 million and $4.7 million in cash. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of $40 million in cash and other assets.

According to the indictment, people traveled from across the country with false complaints of pain in order to get oxycodone and other pain killers. Authorities claim that demand for prescription drugs continues to rise in Florida and elsewhere. However, the Attorney General's Office alleges that Florida is number one in the country when it comes to illegal consumption and distribution of prescription drugs. Seven people die each day in Florida as a result of drug overdoses.

If you are facing a drug offense in Orange County or Orlando, Florida, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today.

Casey Anthony to Serve One Year of Probation

2011-08-18T07:53:00.001-07:00

Orange-Osceola Chief Judge Belvin
Perry has ordered Casey Anthony to serve one year probation for check fraud. She has until August 26 to turn herself in. Anthony has been in hiding the last four weeks following her acquittal of murdering her daughter.

The Florida Department of Corrections allowed Anthony to serve her probation while in Orange County Jail, which was not what the judge had intended. Judge Perry wrote in his order, "To permit the Defendant, whose counsel was well aware that the probation was to begin upon the Defendant's release from jail, to avoid serving probation now, would take a lawfully imposed sentence and make it a mockery of justice."

As with any other person on probation, Anthony must provide her address. However, due to concerns for her safety, Judge Perry told the Department of Corrections it may keep her location confidential, and that her address is not to be shared with the public.

Anthony's rules for probation will include:

Working a lawful occupation and supporting any dependents she may have to the best of her ability
Her probation officer must be allowed to visit Anthony at home, work, or elsewhere
Must not consume alcohol to the point she is impaired
May not change her residence, employment or leave the county where she resides without first getting consent from her probation officer

If you have been charged with a crime in the Orange County or Orlando, Florida area, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today.

Over 1000 Illegal Prescription Drug Arrests in Florida since March

2011-08-16T09:39:00.001-07:00

According to an article in the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Florida law enforcement, including the Statewide Drug Enforcement Strike Force, have arrested at least 1000 suspected prescription drug dealers and seized hundreds of thousands of prescription pills since March. As a result, officials allege a large percentage drop in oxycodone purchases by pharmacies and doctors through the month of June.

A large number of those arrested for drug charges in Florida are due to the distribution and abuse of prescription drugs like oxycodone and Xanax. Governor Rick Scott says this has been made possible by targeting "bad doctors at the top of the pill mill supply chain."

The Drug Enforcement Administration has statistics showing an almost 20 percent drop in oxycodone purchases for the first five months of 2011 compared to the same amount of time in 2010.

In 2010, Florida's top five drug killers were:

Oxycodone – 1516 deaths
Benzodiazepines – 1304 deaths
Methadone – 694 deaths
Alcohol – 572 deaths
Cocaine – 561 deaths

Hundreds of thousands of pills were voluntarily surrendered by physicians and then destroyed by law enforcement. In addition, the Florida Department of Health issued nearly 160 emergency suspension orders against doctors. Just about half of the suspensions involve illegal prescription, dispensing, or use of prescription drugs.

If you have been charged with a drug offense in the Orange County or Orlando, Florida area, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today.

Twilight Actor Arrested for Outstanding Warrants

2011-08-11T10:25:00.001-07:00

One of the actors (no, not the ones you're thinking of) from the The Twilight Saga was arrested in Arizona for two outstanding warrants in that state. Kiowa Gordon, who played werewolf Embry Call in the movie, was a passenger in a vehicle registered to him when the vehicle was stopped by Tempe police.

During the registration check, police found Gordon was wanted on two outstanding misdemeanor warrants. One was a $1000 bond issued by the Mesa Municipal Court, and the other was a $500 bond issued by the Scottsdale Municipal Court.

The 21-year-old was arrested in September 2010 for driving under the influence of drugs after his vehicle was stopped for swerving into the bike lane. He was given a DUI and told to appear in court in February, but he never showed up. A warrant was then issued for his arrest by the court.

He will be appearing in a horror movie later this year with Mischa Barton, who, alas, is no stranger to trouble with the law. She was arrested in 2007 for DUI and driving without a valid license when she was 21 in Los Angeles.

If you have been charged with DUI or have an outstanding warrant in the Orange County or Orlando, Florida area, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today.

OutKast Member Big Boi Arrested in Miami on Drug Charges

2011-08-09T09:11:00.001-07:00

Hip-hop artist and member of OutKast, Antwan "Big Boi" Patton, was arrested on Sunday for drug possession. According to law enforcement officers, Patton was getting off a cruise ship at the Port of Miami when a drug sniffing dog led officials to his stash. He had just returned from vacationing in Puerto Rico and Grand Turk Island.

Law enforcement allegedly found 5.7 grams of MDMA powder, three ecstasy pills, and nine Viagra pills, as well as other unnamed items. Patton was then arrested on three counts of narcotics possession and one count of drug paraphernalia possession. He was released late Sunday on a $16,000 bond.

Patton's defense attorney stated that Patton was traveling with a group of friends and the drugs were found in "the collective luggage." He said, "I am confident when the entire facts are aired Big Boi will be completely exonerated."

One of the first things Patton did upon his release from the Pre-Trial Detention Center in Miami was write through Twitter, "Fresh out Baby!"

It's unknown what might happen to Patton if he is convicted on the drug offenses. Ordinary people might plead and get a reduced sentence, which might include a drug treatment program, fine, and probation. If this is not his first time being charged with drug offenses, he may face some jail time.

If you have been charged with drugs in the Orange County or Orlando, Florida area, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today for a free and confidential case evaluation.

New Mexico Woman Charged with Over 300 Counts of Fraud

2011-08-05T09:16:00.001-07:00

A New Mexican woman has been indicted for allegedly creating fraudulent residency documents for illegal immigrants so they could obtain driver's licenses in that state. The 45-year-old faces over 300 felony counts that she used her Albuquerque business to create the false documents for Mexican nationals.

She had been free on bond from a previous drug offense.

New Mexico, along with Utah and Washington, currently allow undocumented workers to obtain a driver's license if they can prove their identity and place of residency. Residency papers include lease agreements, utility bills, and bank statements. Proof of identity includes passport, birth certificate, or a Mexican identification card issued by the Mexican consulate.

New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez said, "Our driver's licenses have been compromised and we're not only putting our residents at risk, but those living in other states as well." Martinez will apparently ask the state legislature to change the law next month. However, a proposal that would have outlawed foreign nationals obtaining a license was rejected by the New Mexico Senate last March.

The suspect has been accused of signing as both translator and notary on the birth certificates that were translated from Spanish to English. State law requires three separate signatures, and she allegedly used three aliases to sign as the translator and her own name as the notary.

So far, 29 driver's licenses have been canceled by the state that originated from her address.

If you have been charged with fraud in Orange County or Orlando, Florida, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today.

Redmond O’Neal Charged with Heroin Possession

2011-08-03T07:34:00.001-07:00

The son of the late Farrah Fawcett and actor Ryan O'Neal was arrested and charged with drug possession in Southern California on Tuesday.

According to law enforcement officers, Redmond O'Neal was pulled over around 8:30am for failing to stop at a red light in Santa Monica. Police searched his vehicle and found heroin. He was jailed without bail.

The 26-year-old is currently on probation for another drug case and has battled drug addiction for years. He was placed in a drug diversion program, which he completed last year. He was placed on probation after bringing drugs to a jail in Los Angeles County in 2009 when he went to visit a friend.

O'Neal was first treated for addiction to heroin in 2004, but relapsed four years later. He was arrested and convicted of drug possession and drunk driving and then given probation. That same year Redmond and his father were arrested for possession of methamphetamine, which was found in the actor's Malibu home. They were ordered to enter into treatment programs.

Fawcett died of cancer while Redmond was temporarily in jail, but he was granted a temporary release to go to her funeral.

If you have been charged with drug possession in Orange County or Orlando, Florida, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm for a free and confidential case evaluation.

Port Orange Doctor Charged with Trafficking Pain Pills

2011-07-28T08:11:00.001-07:00

Port Orange law enforcement arrested a doctor and several others this week for trafficking pain pills. According to authorities, the investigation into the drug trafficking ring has been going on since September. That's when the doctor's practice, home, and bank accounts were searched.

The doctor was charged on Tuesday with trafficking in illegal drugs, money laundering, racketeering, and conspiracy to commit racketeering. Four others were also arrested and were identified as patients or employees of the doctor's.

Beginning in October of last year, the Florida Department of Health filed a complaint against the doctor alleging he prescribed a large amount of narcotics to an undercover department investigator. The department recommended administrative action be taken against him, including permanently revoking his license to practice medicine. He started practicing in Florida in 2006.

According to records, his medical license is currently suspended in New York and Pennsylvania, as well as Florida.

This is yet another perfect example of what can happen when you are facing a drug charge. Besides jail time, this doctor will lose his medical license, and probably much more than that.

If you are facing a drug charge in Orange County or Orlando, Florida, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm for a free and confidential case evaluation.

Saint Cloud Bank Manager Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement

2011-07-26T07:57:00.001-07:00

A 33-year-old bank manager at the east Saint Cloud branch of Osceola County Sun Trust bank has pleaded guilty to embezzling money for a little over a year. She faces up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

According to authorities and her plea agreement, the bank manager admitted to moving around $40,000 between customer accounts in an effort to hide her theft. This took place between December 2009 and February 2010. She stole nearly $15,000.

The bank manager was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 1 of this year.

Embezzlement is "the misappropriation of items with which a person has been entrusted." Even if the person who has committed the crime intends or intended to return the property later, they may still be charged with embezzlement. Most embezzlement is found through circumstantial evidence, and many of those alleged embezzlers will eventually make a mistake and be caught.

It is in the best interest of those charged with embezzlement to find an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. You need someone you can trust to tell you what your legal options are, and someone who is on your side through this troubling time. A defense attorney can make the difference between a long prison stretch and probation with a fine.

If you have been charged with embezzlement in the Orange County or Orlando, Florida area, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today.

Many Reasons for Casey Anthony Verdict

2011-07-21T09:50:00.001-07:00

Attorney Bill Umansky was quoted in a People Magazine article about some of the reasons Casey Anthony was acquitted of murdering her two-year-old daughter, Caylee.

Attorney Umansky said, "When you've been doing this for so long, you know that you never know what a jury will do. "

And that's what this case that was part of headline news for so long came down to. The jury of 12 decided that there was not enough evidence to convict the 25-year-old. However, juries are often unpredictable and even very good attorneys cannot read how they will react to certain aspects of the case.

In the Anthony case, the prosecution relied on the story that Caylee may have been suffocated with duct tape across her nose and mouth. The defense said the girl drowned in her grandparents' pool. However, the jury just did not buy the prosecution's theory. What they did seem to believe, or at least give credence to, was the defense's insistence that this was an accident that spiraled out of control when the Anthonys were confronted with the horror of it.

Twelve regular people were more likely to understand this was a horrible accident and that the Anthony family was not able to deal with it in the proper way – that is, call the authorities. Confronted with a dysfunctional family day in and day out, may have rung true with many of the jurors.

There was a lot of circumstantial evidence provided by the prosecution, which seemed strong, but didn't do any good in the end. They used forensic evidence to tie a smell in the trunk of Anthony's car to a dead body; they used computer searches for "chloroform" and "neck breaking"; they used Anthony's continued partying in the aftermath of her daughter's disappearance.

In the end, the burden of proof comes down on the prosecution. Anthony's defense team used the tack that just because she lied doesn't mean Anthony killed her daughter.

The prosecution did a good job, said Attorney Umansky, "but circumstantial cases are very difficult to prove."

He adds, "What happened to Caylee? We may never know."

If you have been charged with a crime in Orange County or Orlando, Florida, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today.

Former Tree Farm CFO Given Dual Prison Terms for Embezzling Millions

2011-07-19T08:59:00.001-07:00

The former chief financial officer for a Groveland, Florida tree farm has been given a state prison sentence to be completed after his federal prison sentence for embezzling around $15 million over many years. The embezzlement allegedly caused the tree company to have to lay off 150 employees.

The 60-year-old was given a 12 year sentence for grand theft, and will keep the man in prison for four more years after his federal sentence is completed. In 2009, the man was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for mail fraud and income tax evasion.

According to reports, the man blew hundreds of thousands of dollars at resorts across the country, Brazil, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and the West Indies. He allegedly chartered private jets, had a private chef, dined in five-star restaurants, and partied at exclusive clubs. He also allegedly divorced his wife of 35 years and became estranged from his children while he showered younger men with gifts of jewelry, luxury cars, vacations, and more.

The man also allegedly explained his frequent absences from his job by telling people he had cancer. Everyone assumed he was getting experimental treatments. While he lost 100 pounds, this was allegedly because he underwent gastric bypass.

As unfortunate as this is, the judge who sentenced him pointed out that suspicion now falls on his family because victims of the fraud and police investigators will wonder whether they received any money. He claims they did not.

In addition to this, his son is an assistant state attorney prosecuting child abuse and sex crimes in Orange County. He claims that the sentencing of his father, who he does not defend in any way, shape, or form, is rare and will cost the taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars. His solution is to let his father finish his federal sentencing, then be put on probation for the rest of his life so he can work to pay back the tree farm.

If you or a family member has been charged with theft in the Orange County or Orlando, Florida area, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today.

Rodney King Charged with DUI

2011-07-14T07:06:00.001-07:00

Rodney King, the 46-year-old whose videotaped beating by police was the beginning of a saga that touched off the 1992 Los Angeles, California riots, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence. Police allege King committed "several traffic violations" while he was behind the wheel before they pulled him over.

Police say that it was not clear if King was drunk or on drugs at the time of the traffic stop.

King was awarded almost $4 million after a jury found two of the officers who beat him guilty of violating his civil rights. However, this has not done much to keep King from multiple run-ins with law enforcement.

In 1995, King ran over his wife with a car and served 90 days in jail for hit and run. In 2001, he was arrested on drug charges over allegations he was high on PCP. In 2003, he allegedly rammed his car into a house while under the influence, and in 2005 King was arrested for threatening family members. In 2007, he told police he was hit with shotgun pellets by two people who tried to steal his bike. Finally, in March, King was cited for driving with an expired license.

King has been public with his addiction woes, appearing on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew and Sober House.

If you have been charged with a DUI in Orange County or Orlando, Florida, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today.

Coheed and Cambria Bassist Arrested Before Opening for Soundgarden in Massachusetts

2011-07-12T07:42:00.001-07:00

The bassist of the band Coheed and Cambria was arrested after allegedly robbing a Massachusetts Walgreens of several bottles of oxycodone. According to police, the 30-year-old walked into the Walgreens, showed the pharmacist a note on his smartphone claiming he had a bomb, and demanded Oxycotin.

When the pharmacist said she did not have any Oxycotin, he allegedly said, "I'll take your Perc 30's," referring to 30 milligram Percocet pills. The pharmacist gave the suspect several bottles of the drug and he left.

The suspect then allegedly hailed a cab, which took him to a luxury bus parked at the Comcast Center in Mansfield, where Coheed and Cambria were to open for Soundgarden. Police spotted a fresh trail through the weeds behind the Walgreens, and a witness stated they allegedly saw a man run from the store and get into the cab.

Police tracked down the fare through the name of the cab company, which led them to the tour bus. Police arrested the suspect, who at first denied he was involved, but allegedly admitted his guilt when confronted with video surveillance.

He is being held on $25,000 bail because of his out of state residence (New York) and a previous drug charge. He has been charged with armed robbery and possession of a class B
controlled substance.

The bassist was previously convicted of drug possession in Florida in 2004 and has a conviction for operating under the influence in New York. He also allegedly has battled a heroin addiction in the past.

If you have been charged with a crime in Orange County or Orlando, Florida, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today.

Four Arrested in Volusia County in Connection with Tattoo Parlor Burglary

2011-07-07T08:17:00.001-07:00

Four suspects between the ages of 19 and 24 were arrested by Volusia County law enforcement yesterday morning after they allegedly broke into an Ormond Beach area tattoo parlor. Investigators claim the four stole items estimated at $10,000.

According to the police report, an Ormond Beach officer spotted a "suspicious vehicle" parked outside the tattoo parlor just before 2:00am. The officer looked around to see the vehicle, an SUV, gone and the front door of the parlor smashed in. After calling it in, local law enforcement spotted the SUV. The driver allegedly sped off when police attempted to stop it. It was later found abandoned.

A sheriff's K-9 unit tracked the suspects to a house in Daytona Beach where they were arrested.

The suspects allegedly stole a five-drawer tool box from the tattoo parlor. Inside were a handgun, tattoo machines, and various supplies.

The four have been charged with armed burglary and grand theft. The driver of the vehicle has been charged with fleeing or eluding and driving with a suspended license. Another was charged with a probation violation.

Air Conditioner Copper Thefts Rise in DeLand

2011-07-06T09:41:00.001-07:00

For many people, this is the wrong season to have your air conditioner go out. Finding out it's because someone wants the copper inside it isn't any better. However, for residents of DeLand, a rise in air conditioner thefts, at least 12 since June 22, and copper thefts is obviously a bad thing.

According to law enforcement, several people have been arrested in the theft of copper from air conditioners from vacant or foreclosed homes, homes with occupants, churches, and businesses. These thefts have allegedly cost victims thousands of dollars in losses. Police say that these arrests may lower the number of future thefts. They allege this is because spikes in crimes like this "are normally attributable to one or two crooks working in an area."

Two men recently arrested for copper theft were allegedly caught in the act. They were found with cutting pliers and bags of copper tubing at the air conditioning units of a business. One of the men was also found in possession of marijuana.

Like many people, police speculate that the rise in copper thefts not just in DeLand, but throughout Florida, is because of the poor economy and the ease of getting scrap metal that quickly sells. For the people who are unemployed and desperate, facing jail, fines, and a criminal record are sadly some of the least of their concerns.

If you have been charged with theft in the Orange County or Orlando, Florida area, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today for a free and confidential case evaluation.

Consequences of Driving Under the Influence

2011-06-29T14:15:00.001-07:00

This Fourth of July weekend, where will you be? Will you be with friends and family celebrating Independence Day by watching fireworks? Or will you be in jail charged with driving under the influence? Hopefully, it's the former.

It's okay to have fun on holidays like the Fourth of July, and even drink alcohol. However, make sure you either have a designated driver or know your limit. The consequences of being charged with driving under the influence in Florida carry stiff penalties.

First, here are some statistics you might want to consider:

Two-thirds of DUI convictions are for first time offenders
One-third of all fatal accidents involve at least one person whose blood alcohol content was over 0.08%
40% of all fatal car accidents are alcohol related

In Florida, you may be arrested for a DUI with a BAC of 0.08%. This may not seem like much to you, but just because you feel fine to drive, the police and their breathalyzer equipment may see it another way. Unfortunately, DUI is a common crime in Florida, and police know what to look for during traffic stops or road blocks.

If you are a first time offender, your punishment may include probation, alcohol counseling, community service, and a massive fine. However, by completing a pre-trial diversion program, your charge may be dropped.

If you are a repeat offender, fines become steeper and jail time may be unavoidable.

In addition to jail time, you may lose your drivers license. This can mean loss of job, which in turn can mean the inability to pay rent, mortgage or other bills. You may also be seen negatively by your friends, family, and neighbors.

You should avoid drinking and driving by all means possible this Fourth of July weekend. Find alternate transportation, get a designated driver, or don't drink alcohol.

If you are arrested for a DUI, one of the first things you should do is contact an experienced DUI attorney. By hiring an attorney, you are more likely to be given the opportunity to be put in a diversion program.

If you have been charged with a DUI in Orange County or Orlando, Florida, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umanksy Law Firm for a free initial case consultation.

Fourth of July Means Increase DUI Checkpoints

2011-06-28T08:24:00.001-07:00

Although the Fourth of July isn't until next Monday, Independence Day begins this Friday for many people. This means increased parties, barbecues, eating out, and probably drinking alcohol. When it comes to drinking, most people know when to say when especially if they're driving. Law enforcement is betting against this, though, and will step up their DUI patrols and checkpoints this coming weekend.

Independence Day weekend should be fun, but you also need to be aware that there will be more police setting up traffic stops, road blocks, and other means to spot people driving under the influence. In fact, they'll be looking for any type of driving infraction across the state of Florida to test you.

On one hand, you should be able to understand that it's for the safety of the public. No one wants to be involved in a drunken driving accident. On the other hand, if you are pulled out of your car and asked to perform a field sobriety test, even though you may have driven safely a thousand times before after a couple drinks, you may feel you are being singled out. If the police then decide to arrest you for driving under the influence, it will do more than ruin your weekend.

However, even if you are arrested under suspicion for driving under the influence, you still have rights. Ask yourself if the police have:

The right to stop you
The right to take your license
The right to ask you to perform a field sobriety test
The right to ask you to take a breathalyzer test
The right to arrest you

If you can honestly answer no to any of these, you stand a chance of having your DUI charge reduced or thrown out.

If you are pulled over and charged with DUI this Fourth of July weekend in Orange County or Orlando, Florida, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm for a free and confidential case consultation today.

Rise in Cooking Oil Price Also Raises Restaurant Thefts

2011-06-21T12:28:00.001-07:00

According to restaurants around the New Smyrna Beach area, thefts of cooking oil are up from containers in the back of the building. One reason is because the price of cooking oil has risen to 48 cents a pound. This may not seem like much, but it was only 12 cents in 2005. Restaurants sell the cooking oil to a national company that processes the oil to turn it into yellow grease. It can then be further converted into animal feed.

Another reason, and probably the main reason around Florida, is that people use the cooking grease to power diesel engines. Biodiesel converter kits or alcohol make conversion easy. The alleged thieves are most likely using it for their own vehicles, but some companies will buy it from whomever.

Although some companies reportedly do not want to press charges against those taking the cooking oil, one North Carolina legislator wants to make stealing over $1000 in cooking oil a felony.

Even if a restaurant owner does not want to press charges against you for taking cooking oil, you are still taking an awful chance if you are caught. Yes, gas is around $4 a gallon right now and running your vehicle on biofuel is a good thing, but if you are caught in possession of stolen cooking oil, the price of gas will be the least of your problems.

If you are in the Orange County or Orlando, Florida area, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today.

Idaho State Senator Facing Felonies after DUI

2011-06-20T13:24:00.001-07:00

An Idaho state senator was arrested and charged with driving under the influence and grand theft auto after what is being called "bizarre" behavior over the weekend. According to reports, the senator was drinking at a golf course around 10pm on Saturday and left there on foot. He then allegedly stole a Ford Excursion with a trailer and jackknifed it in a driveway.

Two teenagers awoke their mom around 2:00am to tell her about what was going on in their driveway. After jackknifing the Ford, the senator then got out of the vehicle, wandered around the property, walked up and down the road, and then got into the back of the vehicle where he fell asleep.

The man who lived on the property went out to speak with the barefoot senator who told the homeowner he was "looking for the promised land."

When police arrived, the senator said he was headed to Jackpot, Nevada. He was taken to jail without resistance. He was given a breathalyzer and blew a BAC of .15. He then spent Father's Day in jail.

The senator's spokespeople say the senator is obviously embarrassed. What will happen to his political future is still up in the air, but he was mentioned as a candidate for higher office once upon a time.

If you have been charged with a DUI in the Orange County or Orlando, Florida area, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today.

Ormond Beach Man Charged with Fraud

2011-06-16T08:07:00.001-07:00

A 51-year-old man in an Ormond Beach trailer park is charged with fraud after his mother's friends and neighbors lent him around $900.

The residents of the Holiday Village Mobile Home Park, many of whom are living on fixed incomes, allegedly gave the suspect money over the last two months after he said he needed it to fix his mother's car or get materials for a dry wall job. Police allege he instead spent the money on drugs.

The suspect lives with his mother in the park and allegedly admitted to an investigator that he used the money to feed his addiction to pain killers. He has been charged in four cases with fraud and dealing in stolen property on one.

The suspect is being held in Volusia County Branch Jail on $7500 bail.

Sadly, drug addiction often makes people do things that can get them into serious trouble. Being charged with a felony or even a misdemeanor can affect all aspects of your life. Getting these people into treatment for their addiction rather than throwing them in prison is in everybody's best interest because feeding their addiction by any means necessary is usually the reason for their crime.

If you have been charged with fraud or a drug offense in the Orange County or Orlando, Florida area, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today.

Rapper Flo Rida Charged with DUI in Miami

2011-06-14T08:11:00.001-07:00

Flo Rida, the rap artist whose hit "Low" is all the rage, was pulled over around 3:30am last Friday morning in Miami after law enforcement officers observed him swerving in his lane. Flo Rida, whose real name is Tramar Dillard, was driving his $1.7 million 2008 Bugatti when he was pulled over.

Police allegedly smelled alcohol when they approached the vehicle and asked Flo to step out of the Bugatti to give him a field sobriety test. Around this time a crowd gathered. Some bystanders reportedly asked the police to release Flo and others said they'd give Flo a ride home.

When police asked Flo to "walk the line," he allegedly said he couldn't and asked to perform another test. Flo also tried to convince the police he could make it home. Sadly for Flo and his fans, the police arrested him for driving under the influence.

Flo's blood alcohol content was allegedly .185 when he was arrested.

In addition to the DUI, Flo was also cited when police ran a computer check and found his license was suspended last month for failing to pay a traffic fine.

If you have been charged with DUI in Orange County or Orlando, Florida, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm for an initial case consultation.

Willie Gets a Plea Deal in Pot Case

2011-06-08T13:12:00.001-07:00

Willie Nelson settled his November marijuana possession charge with a plea deal in Texas on Tuesday. Nelson's drug possession charge was reduced to a possession of drug paraphernalia charge, and the singer paid a $500 fine. According to Nelson's attorney, the charge will be dropped from his record if he can stay out of trouble for the next month.

Nelson was charged with possession of marijuana when his tour bus was searched by US Border Patrol agents in Hudspeth County, 85 miles south of El Paso.

Jokes from the prosecution have appeared now and then in this case. The prosecutor originally said Nelson could settle the case with a $100 fine if he serenaded the court with his song, "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain." The judge, however, was not amused. Then, in March, the prosecutor said that Nelson was charged with possession of six ounces of pot, and would have put the case out of his jurisdiction, but he and the sheriff threw out or smoked enough to bring it back into his jurisdiction.

Nelson's attorney said the singer was happy to have this behind him and that he had worried about it. He added, "The truth is there are a lot of people who had access to the tour bus, and it's not an open-and-shut case." He said he believed Nelson's charge was reduced because he had a good lawyer.

Former Baseball Star Lenny Dykstra Jailed on 25 Charges

2011-06-07T08:18:00.001-07:00

Lenny Dykstra, who played for the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies, was jailed on Monday on charges of grand theft auto and drug possession. These come from accusations of using false information to lease a car from a California dealership.

Dykstra was charged with 25 misdemeanor and felony counts of grand theft auto, attempted grand theft auto, identity theft, and other charges. The Los Angeles District Attorney's office says Dykstra is facing 12 years in prison if convicted.

According to prosecutors, Dykstra and two accomplices allegedly tried to lease high-end vehicles from dealers earlier this year by providing false information and claiming credit through a phony company called Home Free Systems. One of three dealerships accepted the lease applications and allowed the men to leave with three cars.

When Dykstra was arrested in April, law enforcement allegedly found cocaine, Ecstasy, and a synthetic human growth hormone called Somatropin in his San Fernando Valley home.

Dykstra has had a string of bad luck. He filed for bankruptcy two years ago, and was charged with more than 12 federal counts including bankruptcy fraud in May.

If you have been charged with theft or drug offenses in the Orange County or Orlando, Florida area, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today. We offer a free and confidential case consultation.

Orlando Food Not Bombs Members Arrested for Feeding Homeless

2011-06-02T08:37:00.001-07:00

The latest entry into the annals of ridiculous arrests goes to Orlando police for arresting three members of the Orlando chapter of Food Not Bombs in Lake Eola Park. The Food Not Bombs movement began in the 1980s as a nonviolent organization that feeds the hungry in over a thousand cities around the world. One of the three arrested is a co-founder of the movement.

According to records, the three members were arrested for violating a city ordinance. The ordinance states that groups must obtain a permit to feed groups of 25 or more people within a two mile radius of City Hall.

Food Not Bombs had gone to court earlier in the year to fight the ordinance, but lost in April. Police did not interfere with Food Not Bombs while the case was being argued in court. The US District Court of Appeals for the 11^th Circuit in Atlanta ruled that the ordinance does not violate the Constitution and that Orlando may continue to regulate how many people may be fed in the park.

Orlando police allege Food Not Bombs intentionally violated the statute when they announced on its website for members to show up in Eola Park on May 25. Police allege they found a press release on one of the arrested stating their intention to defy the ordinance. The group had fed the homeless breakfast on Mondays and dinner on Wednesdays for five years.

The three arrested members of Food Not Bombs had their bail set at $250 for each person. Two of the three were bailed out, but the third opted to stay in jail and let the legal process work itself out. They each face a $500 fine and/or 60 days in jail for violating the ordinance.

If you have been charged with a crime in the Orange County or Orlando, Florida area, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm for an initial case consultation today.

Rise in Catalytic Converter Thefts Across Florida

2011-05-31T12:48:00.001-07:00

Catalytic converters are placed on vehicles to reduce emissions from the engine. They use a catalyst to convert chemicals from harmful, such as the very harmful carbon monoxide, into inert or less harmful chemicals, like carbon dioxide. They are also full of precious metals that are worth a lot of money. As a result, thieves are allegedly removing them from vehicles in cities all over Florida, as well as across the country.

Last month in DeLand, catalytic converters were stolen from 48 new Kia SUVs and seven used Kias from the lot of a dealership in one night. According to Nationwide Insurance, there are 25 catalytic converters stolen every month in the US.

The metals in catalytic converters include rhodium, platinum, and palladium. Rhodium currently sells for $9500 an ounce, while platinum currently sells for around $2000 an ounce. However, the thieves are allegedly selling the converters to scrap yards for only a couple hundred dollars.

This is obviously low, but the report states that someone who knows what they're doing can remove a converter in as little as 20 seconds, and definitely less than ten minutes. SUVs are most often the target because they are higher off the ground and easier to get beneath.

Getting caught stealing catalytic converters can seriously curtail your future plans, especially if you wind up in prison.

If you have been charged with theft in Orange County or Orlando, Florida, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today for an initial case consultation.

MEMORIAL DAY DUI CHECKPOINTS

2011-05-26T19:29:00.000-07:00

This Memorial weekend there will be many family gatherings, picnics and parties to celebrate family and to honor those who serve and have served for our armed forces. Please be careful drinking and driving as law enforcement in Orange, Lake, Brevard, Seminole, Osceola, Volusia counties will likely increase DUI enforcement this weekend. In fact, according to the Orlando Sentinel, the Lake County Sheriff will be setting up safety checkpoints. Remember to be careful driving and if you feel as if you have had too much to drink, you probably have, so get a cab or a ride home. From everyone here at the Umansky Law Firm, we wish everyone a happy holiday!

ATTORNEY ZAHRA UMANSKY ON CNN!

2011-05-26T19:10:00.000-07:00

Attorney Zahra Umansky of the Umansky Law Firm was on CNN headline news to discuss whether allegations of Sexual Abuse by Jose Baez in the Casey Anthony trial will help her defense.

Zahra opined about the allegation raised by Casey Anthony that she lies because she was the victim of sexual abuse by her father George Anthony.

Three Arrested in Brawl Between Pajama Partiers and Roller Skaters

2011-05-25T15:16:00.001-07:00

On Friday, May 20, two groups clashed, and pajama-clad chaos ensued. Allegedly, participants at a pajama party at the Lake Mirror Center in Lakeland, Florida left the center around 11:30 and walked to the nearby Old School compound skate park, evidently deciding that adding roller skates to their pajamas would create the perfect party attire.

The partiers tried to get into the compound where another group was having a lock-in, an all night event where people stayed in the compound to skate. The when the owner told the partiers to leave, they began jumping on cars, inciting the roller-skaters to come out and begin fighting.

Police arrived on the scene and broke up the fight when shots were fired, presumably from a .22 caliber handgun found after the brawl involving around 30 people died down. When the proverbial dust cleared, one 20-year-old man was found injured and taken to the hospital, while one adult female and two juvenile males were arrested and charged with affray, a misdemeanor fighting charge.

In the many misdemeanor cases such as this that occur, it is important for those charged to hire an experienced defense attorney who can help navigate the justice system, and help to get sometimes serious charges diminished or reduced.

If you have been charged with a crime in Orange County, Orlando, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the Umansky Law Firm to schedule a free consultation today.

Supreme Court Tells California it Must Cut Prison Population

2011-05-24T08:59:00.001-07:00

The US Supreme Court voted in a 5-4 decision that the state of California must cut its prison population by more than 30,000 inmates because of overcrowded conditions. This, they said, violates the Eighth Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishment. The court's more liberal members, plus Justice Anthony Kennedy, voted in the majority, while the court's more conservative justices dissented.

There are currently more than 140,000 inmates in California's prison system right now, but it has been as high as 160,000. Even the ordered reduction to 110,000 is still 137.5 percent of capacity.

The California prison system seems to be broken in many ways. Photographs shown during the majority opinion reportedly contained images of inmates living in gymnasium styled rooms and tiny "phone booth sized cages without toilets" for suicidal inmates. There have been reports of inmates unable to get medical care for things as serious as cancer in a timely fashion, very high suicide rates, and other alarming situations.

The Supreme Court gave California two years to implement the changes and emphasized that this does not have to be done solely through early release. However, Justice Kennedy stated that he does not believe California can build itself out of the problem by implementing new prisons. So, there will be some early release. Justice Anthony Scalia gave a rare oral dissent and this was "perhaps the most radical injunction issued by a court in our nation's history." It is Justice Scalia's opinion that this decision is now "gambling with the safety of the people of California."

Justice Kennedy wrote in his opinion that, "A prison that deprives prisoners of basic sustenance, including adequate medical care, is incompatible with the concept of human dignity and has no place in civilized society."

It's easy and understandable for people to want the worst of the worst criminals locked up forever, and to want them to be miserable for their crimes. However, there are many other inmates in California, as well as Florida, that have been sentenced for non-violent crimes, such as drug charges, who may actually be the ones most hurt by this overcrowding. There is no guarantee that any of these inmates will be released, but we have seen some early release of those who violate terms of their probation or are convicted of drunken driving.

By releasing non-violent criminals and getting them into treatment programs or halfway houses where they can begin to reintegrate into society, we strengthen what we as a nation hold ourselves up to be: A beacon for civilized and democratic societies everywhere.

Chief Justice Roberts, and Justices Scalia, Thomas and Alito worry about releasing those who may have become "better" criminals from prisons the juries and judges said they should be in. There may be some merit in this concern. But there are certainly many people behind bars who deserve to be removed from a situation that is more akin to what we see in images of third world countries and dictatorial regimes.

If you have been charged with a crime in the Orange County or Orlando, Florida area, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm for a free and confidential case evaluation today.

Three Arrested in New Smyrna Beach Copper Theft

2011-05-19T09:39:00.001-07:00

Two men and a woman have been arrested for their alleged involvement in a New Smyrna Beach copper theft. The theft occurred at a Utilities Commission compound.

According to law enforcement officers, two men were spotted taking rolls of copper wire on Sunday evening by an employee of a nearby generator plant. Police allegedly set up a perimeter and a K-9 unit was sent in to catch them as they ran.

Police also found a young woman sitting in a car who allegedly admitted to dropping the two men off.

All three were charged with burglary, and one of the men was charged with possession of burglary tools. Police recovered the wire and tools on the scene.

The three were held in Volusia County Branch Jail on Monday night.

All three individuals are under 30-years-old, and one of them is only 18-years-old. Being convicted on charges like burglary is a serious matter and will affect their future. Some of the criminal consequences these three may be facing include:

Jail time
Probation
Permanent felony or misdemeanor on your record
Loss of employment
Loss of scholarship
Loss of professional licenses

If you have been charged with theft or burglary in Orange County or Orlando, Florida, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today.